- Team form: West Ham have won 2 of their last 3 home matches in the Championship 2026/2027 (and lost 1).
- Away form: QPR have 0 wins and 0 defeats in their last 2 away matches in the Championship 2026/2027.
- Recent draws: Julien Stephan's team have drawn 3 of their last 5 matches.
West Ham still to get going
It's still relatively early in the Championship 2026/2027 campaign and West Ham are sitting in 2nd place with 15 points from 8 games, 2 points clear of 6th place Queens Park Rangers on 13. The Hammers' 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in the last 5 matches across all competitions is a solid, if unspectacular start to Nuno Espirito Santo's reign, which began on 27 September 2025.
West Ham's last 2 results have seen them lose 2-3 at home to Fulham in the EFL Cup 2026/2027 and draw 2-2 away at Millwall in the Championship 2026/2027.
QPR have been in average form in the Championship 2026/2027 with 3 draws in their last 5 (1 win, 1 loss) and a recent trio of 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2 results away at Charlton Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and at home to Preston North End, respectively.
QPR can keep this close in London
Tactics:
QPR boss Julien Stephan has introduced a more vertical style of play since taking the reins at Loftus Road on 25 June 2025, his side have more direct runners and there is more of a tempo to their build-up play. That should make for a chess-like game on Friday evening in midfield and in the half-spaces, with West Ham the more patient and structured team who can roll over teams with their structure, set pieces and controlled build-up when they wish, or switch to a more aggressive press to turn the screw.
Key players:
- Bowen is West Ham's sharpest finisher with 4 goals in 8 Championship 2026/2027 matches.
- Rumarn Burrell has been a handful for QPR, scoring 2 of their 4 goals in the last 5 matches.
Hammers to hold off The Hoops
QPR have been very tough to beat on their travels recently, so there's a chance that this game will be closer than the odds suggest.
Betting angles:
- At 1.51, West Ham are the overwhelming favorites to beat 5.75 underdogs QPR, who are priced up at 4.3 for the draw.
- Our selection of the Hammers to edge a close, competitive game between two teams in good form is reflected in our correct score prediction of 2-1.
- West Ham have won 3 of their 4 home matches in the Championship 2026/2027 (and lost 1) and their home games have averaged 3.50 goals so far, with the hosts scoring 3.50 and conceding 1.00.
- QPR have won 2 of their 4 away games in the Championship 2026/2027 (and drawn 2), conceding just 3 goals in those 4 trips.
- So our selection of Over 2.5 goals at 1.55 should ensure an exciting, lively game and Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.62 also fits the open-looking setup.
